LSU women's basketball player Sa'Myah Smith faints during President Biden speech at White House
An LSU women’s basketball player fainted as the Tigers visited the White House on Friday for winning the national championship.
Forward Sa’Myah Smith passed out in the middle of President Joe Biden’s speech. The President stopped his speech after Smith fainted and tried to figure out what was happening.
President Biden’s reaction as Smith fainted was captured on video.
The good news is that Smith is apparently doing well. LSU coach Kim Mulkey told reporters that Smith: “is fine, for those of you who are concerned,” according to USA Today.
Smith just completed her freshman season at LSU and had an impressive year, earning a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team. She averaged 4.6 points and 4 rebounds for the Tigers in 2022-23.
Smith appeared in all 36 games for LSU this season and was the top forward off the bench. She finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds and a block in the national championship game against Iowa.
The LSU women’s basketball team departed for the White House on Thursday, ahead of being honored Friday afternoon. LSU visited the United States Capitol Building on Friday, where the Louisiana Congressional Delegation welcomed the team with a lunch and tour.
Mulkey led the Tigers to the national championship in her second season with the program after winning multiple national titles at Baylor.
LSU went 34-2 this past season, including winning 23 consecutive games at one point.
The Tigers women’s basketball team is the fourth LSU sport to visit the White House in celebration of a national championship, joining baseball, football and track and field.
Angel Reese visits White House with LSU
At one point, it seemed up in the air as far as whether or not LSU star Angel Reese would attend the White House with the Tigers.
After attending the LSU-Iowa national title game herself, First Lady Jill Biden took it upon herself to invite both the Tigers and Iowa to the White House after seeing the Hawkeyes put up a strong fight.
Angel Reese did not like that move by the First Lady and publicly bashed her for the invitation, leading to questions about whether Reese herself would even end up joining her team during their White House visit.
Reese was there on Friday. She previously spoke with ESPNU about the decision.
“Yeah, I’m a team player,” Reese said. “I mean, it would look crazy for me not to be there, for one. And then, for two, I think going back home to the DMV … you don’t really get those chances often. So just being able to go back with the team and just following along with my coaches, since they have the best interest for me.”